Elite Athletes of the Month for February 2017
Elite Stone Supply, in conjunction with WBHF and Bartow Sports Zone, presents the ELITE ATHLETES OF THE MONTH.
Each month, all five local high schools are provided opportunity to name an Elite Athlete of the Month and present the information on their honoree through Bartow Sports Zone and on 100.3FM and AM1450, WBHF in Cartersville.
Recipients for February 2017: Tyler Hendon -- Cass High School
Nic Jackson -- Adairsville High School
Kenly King -- Cartersville High School
Jesus Montero -- Woodland High School
Ellise Taylor -- Excel Christian Academy
The February Elite Athlete of the Month for Cass High School is Tyler Hendon.
Hendon, a senior, has started the 2017 baseball season at a torrid pace. Through the first four games of the season, he is batting .462 with a double and a homerun. Defensively, Hendon has been solid in right field and has not committed an error. “I am proud of the way Tyler has swung the bat this season,” said Cass head baseball coach Adam Williams. “He is showing his true potential. I think we will see even more production from Tyler in the future. His homerun versus Adairsville shows how strong he is.”
Hendon also shines in the classroom with a 3.5 grade point average.
The son of Brittany and Nathan Hendon, he plans to attend college and wants to serve his community in the future as a law enforcement officer.
Nic Jackson is the February Elite Athlete of the Month for Adairsville High School.
Jackson is a sophomore wrestler for the Tigers in the 170-pound weight class. He placed third this year in the Class AAA state tournament and has over 100 high school varsity wins.
He is the son of Shane and Tracie Jackson and academically carries a 4.0 GPA.
Jackson is recognized by his coaches as a leader in and out of athletics. They note his great work ethic and his self-discipline.
The Cartersville High School Elite Athlete of the Month for February is Kenly King.
A senior member of the Lady Canes’ tennis team, King is a team leader and captain. She has played varsity singles all four years and has helped lead Cartersville to three consecutive region championships.
“Kenly has been an integral member of the CHS tennis team all four years. She and her teammates have experienced three region titles. She is tenacious. Her love of the sport has not diminished although she carries a heavy course load. She is a leader and a motivator,” said Lady Canes’ tennis coach Melissa Moore.
She is the daughter of Kena Butler and Chris King.
She maintains a 3.9 grade point average.
Jesus Montero is the February Elite Athlete of the Month representing Woodland High School.
The son of Neibeth Montero, Jesus placed second at the 2017 GHSA State Wrestling Championships in the 120-pound weight division. It was his first time placing at the state tournament.
Montero pinned each opponent through the Area and Sectional Tournaments, and then pinned his opponent in the first three rounds of the state tournament prior to his loss in the state finals.
A team captain for the Wildcats, Montero maintains a 3.5 grade point average.
“Jesus did not start wrestling until midway through his 8th grade year. He has a tremendous work ethic and desire to succeed,” commented Woodland head wrestling coach Adrian Tramutola.
The February Elite Athlete of the Month for Excel Christian Academy is Ellise Taylor.
A high school freshman at Excel, she is the daughter of Roger and Christie Taylor and has attended ECA for the past nine years.
Taylor is a multi-sport athlete. She is a member of the cross country team and a leader for the Eagles’ cheerleading squad.
She was nominated as Elite Athlete of the Month by Coach Keisha Wilkie and Coach Taylor for her outstanding work ethic, unselfish attitude, and strong leadership skills exhibited during the past basketball season.
“Ellise always goes above and beyond what is asked of her,” said Coach Wilkie. “ She often did things that needed to be done without being asked. She displayed tremendous leadership for a freshman and she added so much to the squad.”
Taylor is an excellent student. She made all A’s throughout her middle school years and has also maintained straight-A’s for the first semester of her freshman year of high school.
Her favorite subject is band. She loves playing the oboe and performing at concerts.
Her hobbies include reading, playing the piano, and spending time with her family.
She is a member of the Cross Point City Church, where she is an active participant in youth activities. She also spent time during the summer months working with Harvest House Ministries.
Taylor plans to attend college, but has yet to decide on a future major.
Editors Note: Photos and bios are supplied to Bartow Sports Zone and WBHF by the respective schools and their athletic departments. Elite Stone Supply, LLC is the monthly sponsor. Athletes receive a plaque along with recognition during a radio feature on WBHF.
